Water inlet flume

ABSTRACT

A water inlet flume assembly adapted for use in a household washing machine. The assembly comprises a first member having a tubular section at one end which is adapted to be positioned through an aperture in the tub of the washer. The opposite outer end of the first member includes an inlet nozzle and an underlying overflow trough. The second member is positioned on the inside of the tub and includes an upper trough in alignment with, but spaced from, the inlet nozzle. A transverse flange depends from the upper trough and is designed to skim the suds from the water in the event that the tub overflows and the water passes through the assembly in the reverse direction.

United States Patent Primary Examiner-William I. Price AssistantExaminer-Philip 'R. Coe

Attorney-Kane, Dalsimer, Kane, Sullivan & Smith ABSTRACT: A water inletflume assembly adapted for use in a household washing machine. Theassembly comprises a first member having a tubular section at one endwhich is adapted to be positioned through an aperture in the tub of thewasher. The opposite outer end of the first member includes an inletnozzle and an underlying overflow trough. The second member ispositioned on the inside of the tub and includes an upper trough inalignment with, but spaced from, the inlet nozzle. A transverse flangedepends from the upper trough and is designed to skim the suds from thewater in the event that the tub overflows and the water passes throughthe as- 2, 5 5 2 ,398 5 /1951 Briggs... 68/207Xsemblyinthereversedirection.

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'PATENTEUMAR 21971 3566 06 sum 1 0F 3 INVENTOR 9085A? B. (QEJFE $3 T i4602M,

ATTOR EYs PATENTEDHAR 21971 $566,906

SHEET 3 OF 3 INVENTOR 05 67 5. 5 48' d d, QM yam-d, 4M

ATTORNEYS WATER INLET FLUME BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONfilling the tub with water, agitating the clothes in the basket,

draining the tub, and spin drying the clothes by rotation of the basket,

The conventional water inlet system is positioned adjacent the top ofthe tub and normally includes a flume to direct the water inwardly tothe basket. To guard against reverse flow of the wash water into thewater system of the home should there be a loss of water pressure, it isstandard practice to incorporate an air gap in the water flume, with thegap being positioned above the normal maximum water level. By thisarrangement, the wash water does not reachthe water inlet and thuscannot be drawn into the fresh water system by a reduction of pressurein the main.

However, even when the inlet system as described above is utilized,difficulties may be encountered if the fill shutoff .system should failto properly operate. In this event, the wash water will rise above itsnormal level and it may reach and submerge the air gap. Also, eventhough the water itself may not reach the air gap, the suds riding ontop of the water may contact and enter this area. 7

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a waterinlet flume incorporating an air gap which will not be contacted byeither the wash water or suds in the event of tub overflow.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an overflowtrough for the wash water whereby overflowing water will be directed toa suitable drain before it reaches the top of the tub. In this regard, atransverse flange is positioned over the upper portion of the trough toskim the suds from the water and thereby prevent the suds from flowingwith the water to the drain.

A further object and advantage of the present invention is theutilization of the overflow trough to direct entering water into the tubin the event that the water pressure is insufficient to cause the waterto cross the air gap.

The above objects, features, and advantages of the present invention areachieved in the embodiments described herein by the provision of a waterinlet flume assembly which is mounted to extend through an aperture inthe side of the washing machine tub. The assembly comprises a firstmember having a tubular section at one end which is adapted to extendthrough the aperture in the tub. The opposite outer end of the firstmember includes a water inlet nozzle to which the hose from aconventional water spigot is adapted to be attached. The nozzle ispositioned above the axis of the tubular section, and an overflow troughis provided immediately below the nozzle. The assembly also includes asecond member which is adapted to be mounted on the inside of said tubin horizontal alignment with the first member. The second memberincludes an upper trough portion which is aligned with but spaced fromthe inlet nozzle, and a depending transverse flange which blocks theremaining upper portion of the tubular section.

In operation, water entering the washer under pressure will flow acrossthe space or gap between the nozzle and the upper trough portion, fromwhence it will be directed radially inwardly and discharged into theclothes basket. If the water pressure is insufficient to cause the waterto jump the gap, it will fall onto the overflow trough and be directedinto the tub. Since the air gap is positioned above the predeterminedwater level in the tub, there is no danger that the water will be drawninto the inlet nozzle during normal operations.

In the event that the tub should overflow, water will flow in thereverse direction across the overflow trough and into a drain. Thetransverse flange acts to block the passage of suds through the flume,thereby assuring that the suds riding on top of the water will not reachthe water inlet nozzle.

Additional objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art from the following detaileddescription.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a waterinlet flume incorporati g the features of the present invention,together with a portion of the washing machine body structure.

FIG. 2 is an exploded assembly view of the flume shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view similar to FIG. I but showing a secondembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an exploded assembly view of the flume illustrated in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a sectional side view of still another embodiment of thepresent invention, together with a portion of the washing machine bodystructure.

FIG. 6 is a sectional top view taken along the line 6-6 of FIG. 5. t

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, awater inlet flume assembly embodying the features of the presentinvention is illustrated generally at 10. The assembly comprises aninlet member 12 and an outlet member 14 which are disposed in horizontalmating relationship through an aperture 16 positioned adjacent the topof the washer tub 17. A further portion of the surrounding structure ina conventional washing machine is also shown, and in particular thecabinet top 18 and the clothes-receiving basket 19 are illustrated. Thebasket 19 may or may not be perforated, and may also include asurrounding annular clothes guard 20.

' The inlet member 12 includes an inner end in the form of a tubularsection 21 which is adapted to pass through the aperture 16 in the tub.An outer circumferential flange 22 is positioned intermediate the endsof the member 12 and is adapted to overlie a mating annular flange 24positioned about the aperture 16. The flanges 22 and 24 includeinterengaging ribs 23 and 25, respectively, whereby assembly of themember 12 on the tub 17 is effected by applying an axial force to snapthe rib 23 behind the rib 25.

The opposite outer end of the inlet member 12 includes a water inletnozzle 28 which is adapted to mount a hose 30 leading from the freshwater source or spigot. A suitable clamp 31 may be used to maintain thisconnection. The nozzle 28 is positioned above the axis of the tubularsection 21 and extends for only a portion of the axial length of themember 12. An overflow through 32 underlies the nozzle 28 and includes asurrounding upstanding lip 33 for the purposes which will becomeapparent. In addition, each side of the member 12 is cut away, as at 34,to permit assembly of the two members in the manner hereinafter setforth.

The forward end (left in FIG. 1) of outlet member 14 includes an annularportion 35 which has an outer diameter substantially corresponding tothe inner diameter of the tubular section 21. Thus, as illustrated inthe drawings, the annular portion 35 is adapted to be received in aclose'fitting relationship within the tubular section 21. An abutmentshoulder 36 may be provided in the section 21 to limit the distance thatthe portion 35 may be inserted. A pair of flexible tangs 38 extend fromthe forward end of the member 14, the tangs being adapted to ride alongthe inside surface of the tubular section 21 during assembly, and thensnap into the cutouts 34 to prevent separation of the two members.

The upper portion of the member 14 comprises a trough 40 which isdesigned to direct the water entering under pressure through the nozzle28 to a position over the clothes basket 19. Since the nozzle 28 isspaced from the entrance to the trough 40, an air gap is provided whichmust be crossed by the water in order to reach the trough. If thepressure in the water supply main is not sufficient to cause the waterto cross this gap, the water will drop onto the overflow trough 32 andflow into the tub 17 via the annular portion 35. The discharge end ofthe trough 40 may be positioned in an aperture 18 in the cabinet top ifadditional rigidity is desired.

In the event that the water fill system of the washer should malfunctionto cause an overflow condition, it will be apparent that the waterrising in the tub 17 will reach the annular portion 35 of member 14 andpass through the assembly in the reverse direction to the overflowtrough 32. The water will then spill over the lip 33 of the trough 32and drop into a suitable drain (not shown) which is placed beneath thetrough 32 for this purpose. By this arrangement, no water is able toreach the level of the inlet nozzle 28 and thus no contamination of thehousehold water system can take place.

An additional feature of the present invention resides in the provisionof a suds skimmer 42 which is designed to insure that the suds riding ontop of the overflow water will not reach the level of the nozzle 28. Theskimmer 42 takes the form ofa transverse flange positioned adjacent theforward end of the member 14 and which depends from the lower surface ofthe trough 40. Thus, the upper portion of the opening through thetubular section 21 is blocked, and the passage of suds is therebycontrolled.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the inlet member 12'includes a tubular section 21', an outer circum ferential flange 22, aninlet nozzle 28' and an overflow trough 32. As will be apparent, theseelements ofthe member 12 are substantially similar to the correspondingelements in the previously described embodiment. The member 12, however,is somewhat shorter in overall axial length.

The outlet member of the flume illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 takes theform of a channel member 50 having a trough portion formed by therelatively flat surface 52 and sidewalls 54. The forward end of themember 50 includes a depending flange 56 which is positioned atsubstantially right angles to the surface 52. The upper edges of thesidewalls 54 include apertured extensions 58 which serve as mountingmeans for securing the member to the cabinet top 18 in the mannerillustrated in FIG. 3.

In this embodiment, it will be seen that the water entering through thenozzle 28' must cross a gap before reaching the surface 52. Once this isaccomplished, the water is directed along surface 52 to the basket 19 asin the previous embodiment. If the water should not bridge the gap, itwill drop onto the overflow trough 32' and into the tub 17 through thetubular section 21'. In the event the tub should overflow, the waterwill flow in the reverse direction across the overflow trough 32' and tothe drain (not shown) without coming in contact with the inlet nozzle28'. The suds will similarly be prevented from passing through theoverflow passageway by the flange or skimmer 56.

The embodiments of the flume illustrate in FIGS. 1 through 4 mayobviously be fabricated from a wide variety of synthetic or naturalmaterials which are durable, strong, somewhat resilient, and which arecapable of withstanding moderately high temperatures. In this regard, athermoplastic material,

such as polypropylene, has been found to be very satisfactory.

Still another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated inFIGS. and 6. In this embodiment, the inlet 60 includes a tubular section61, an outer circumferential flange 62, an inlet nozzle 64, and anoverflow trough 65. The flange 62 includes a circumferential abutment 66which is adapted to be mounted in a mating aperture in the tub wall 68.The abutment may be secured in the aperture by any suitable means, suchas by spin welding. It will be noted that in this embodiment the flange62 is offset from the axis of the inlet 60 such that the flume extendsat an angle with respect to the tub wall 68, see FIG. 6.

The outlet member 70 includes an upper trough 72 which is axiallyaligned with, but spaced from, the spout 64. The forward end of thetrough includes a downwardly depending suds skimmer 74, as well as anextension 76 of the upper surface of the trough. The extension 76 isadapted to be pressed into contact with the upper portion of the tubularsection 61 (note FIG. 5) by the flexible upwardly extending flap 78. The

original free position of the flap 78 is shown in dotted lines, an it isresiliently flexed to the position illustrated during assembly with thetop 80.

In order to positively position the outlet member 70 through theaperture 82 in the cabinet top 80, a snap lock arrangement is providedat the discharge end of the outlet. In particular the upper surface ofthe trough 72 includes a rearwardly facing abutment 84. The lowersurface of the trough is bifurcated at 85 and 86 to form three flexiblesections. The lower surface of the two outer flexible sections includesforwardly facing abutments 88, while the middle section includes arearwardly facing abutment 90. Viewing FIG. 5, it will be seen that therearwardly facing abutments 84 and are spaced from the forwardly facingabutments 88 a distance sufficient to admit the wall of the cabinet topabout the aperture 82. Since the sections along the lower surface of thetrough are flexible, it will be apparent that the outlet member 70 maybe assembled with the cabinet top 80 by merely inserting the dischargeend into the aperture 82 and exerting sufficient axial force to drivethe abutments 84 and 90 through the aperture.

As will be obvious, the embodiment of the flume illustrated in FIGS. 5and 6 functions in a manner similar to that of the previously describedembodiments. The water entering through the nozzle 64 will normallycross the gap before reaching the lower surface of the trough 72. If thewater should not bridge the gap, it will drop onto the overflow trough65 and into the tub 68 via the tubular section 61. In the event ofoverflow, the water will flow in the reverse direction across the trough61 and the suds riding on the top of the water will be prevented frompassing through the section 61 by the skimmer 74.

It will be apparent that the flume assembly of the present invention isa highly effective device for providing an air gap in the water inletsystem, for insuring that the water which may not cross the gap willflow into the tub, for providing a passageway for overflowing water suchthat it never reaches the level of the inlet nozzle, and for providing ablocking means to obstruct the transfer of suds through the overflowpassage and thereby insure that the suds will not reach the inletnozzle. The assembly is simple in design, inexpensive to manufacture,and may be easily attached to a conventional washing machine tub in themanner illustrated.

I claim:

1. A water inlet flume for a washing machine or the like comprising:

a first member having a generally tubular section at one end and a waterinlet spout at the opposite end, said inlet spout being positioned abovethe axis of said tubular section; and

a second member adapted to be mounted in substantially coaxial alignmentwith said first member at said one end thereof, said second memberincluding a water discharge trough adapted to be positioned in axialalignment with, but spaced from, said water inlet spout to form an airbreak therebetween, said second member further including a dependingtransverse flange to partially block the entrance to said tubularsection.

2. The water inlet flume as defined in claim 1 wherein said first memberfurther includes an overflow trough positioned beneath said inlet spout.

3. The water inlet flume as defined in claim 2 wherein said first memberfurther includes an outer circumferential flange positioned coaxiallyabout said tubular section, said outer circumferential flange beingadapted to engage a mating flange on the body of said washing machine tomount said first member thereon.

4. The water inlet flume as defined in claim 3 wherein said secondmember further includes attachment means for permanently securing saidsecond member to said washing machine body.

5. The water inlet flume as defined in claim 3 wherein the forward endof said second member adjacent said first member includes an annularportion having an outer diameter substantially corresponding to theinner diameter of said first member tubular section, whereby saidannular portion is adapted to be received in said tubular section.

6. The water inlet flume as defined in 'claim 5 wherein said firstmember includes a cutout'ext'ending from said opposite end toward saidone end along'each side thereof, and said second member includes a pairof flexible tangs extending forwardly from said annular portion of saidsecond member, said tangs being adapted to engage and lock behind saidcutouts when said annular portion is received in said tubular section.

7. In a washing machine of the type having a clothes-receiving basketand a surrounding stationary tub, the tub having an aperture in the sidethereof to permit the passage of water for filling the tub, theimprovement therein comprising:

a flume assembly to guide the fill water through said aperture and intosaid tub, said flume assembly comprising first and second membersdisposed in horizontal mating relationship; said first member includingan inner end forming a tubular section and an outer end having a waterinlet nozzle and a overflow trough positioned thereon, said nozzle beingpositioned above the axis of said tubular section and said overflowtrough being positioned immediately below said nozzle, said first memberfurther including means .to mount said first member through saidaperture on said tub; and I said second member having an upper troughportion and a depending transverse flange, said second member beingmounted at the inner end of said first member on the inside of said tubwith said trough portion in spaced axial alignment with said inletnozzle and said transverse flange blocking the upper portion of theentrance to said tubular section, whereby water entering through saidnozzle under pressure will-flow across the space between said nozzle andupper trough portion, and whereby the transverse flange acts to blockthe passage of suds through said tubular section should the washeroverflow.

8. The flume assembly as defined in claim 7 wherein said means formounting said first member on said tub includes an outer circumferentialflange positioned intermediate the ends of said first member.

9. The flume assembly as defined in claim 8 wherein said upper troughportion of said second member comprises a relatively flat surfacev and apair of sidewalls, and said depending flange is positioned atsubstantially right angles to said surface.

10. The flume assembly as defined in 'claim 9 wherein said second memberfurther includes attachment means positioned on said sidewalls forpermanently securing said second member to the body of said washingmachine.

11. The flume assembly as defined in claim 8 wherein the end of saidsecond member adjacent said first member includes an annular portionhaving an outer diameter substantially corresponding to the innerdiameter of said first member tubular section and with said annularportion being received in said tubular section.

12. The flume assembly as definedin claim 11 wherein said first memberincludes a cutout extending from said outer end toward said inner endalong each side thereof, and said second member includes a pair offlexible-tangs engaging and locked behind said cutouts to maintain theassembly of the two members.

13. The flume assembly as defined in claim 8 wherein an annular flangeis positioned about the. aperture on said tub, and said outercircumferential flange is adapted to mating-ly engage said annularflange.

14. The flume assembly as defined, in claim 8 wherein said outercircumferential flange is spin welded about said tub aperture tosealingly'close said aperture to the passage of water.

1. A water inlet flume for a washing machine or the like comprising: afirst member having a generally tubular section at one end and a waterinlet spout at the opposite end, said inlet spout being positioned abovethe axis of said tubular section; and a second member adapted to bemounted in substantially coaxial alignment with said first member atsaid one end thereof, said second member including a water dischargetrough adapted to be positioned in axial alignment with, but spacedfrom, said water inlet spout to form an air break therebetween, saidsecond member further including a depending transverse flange topartially block the entrance to said tubular section.
 2. The water inletflume as defined in claim 1 wherein said first member further includesan overflow trough positioned beneath said inlet spout.
 3. The waterinlet flume as defined in claim 2 wherein said first member furtherincludes an outer circumferential flange positioned coaxially about saidtubular section, said outer circumferential flange being adapted toengage a mating flange on the body of said washing machine to mount saidfirst member thereon.
 4. The water inlet flume as defined in claim 3wherein said second member further includes attachment means forpermanently securing said second member to said washing machine body. 5.The water inlet flume as defined in claim 3 wherein the forward end ofsaid second member adjacent said first member includes an annularportion having an outer diameter substantially corresponding to theinner diameter of said first member tubular section, whereby saidannular portion is adapted to be received in said tubular section. 6.The water inlet flume as defined in claim 5 wherein said first memberincludes a cutout extending from said opposite end toward said one endalong each side thereof, and said second member includes a pair offlexible tangs extending forwardly from said annular portion of saidsecond member, said tangs being adapted to engage and lock behind saidcutouts when said annular portion is received in said tubular section.7. In a washing machine of the type having a clothes-receiving basketand a surrounding stationary tub, the tub having an aperture in the sidethereof to permit the passage of water for filling the tub, theimprovement therein comprising: a flume assembly to guide the fill waterthrough said aperture and into said tub, said flume assembly comprisingfirst and second members disposed in horizontal mating relationship;said first member including an inner end forming a tubular section andan outer end having a water inlet nozzle and a overflow troughpositioned thereon, said nozzle being positioned above the axis of saidtubular section and said overflow trough being positioned immediatelybelow said nozzle, said first member further including means to mountsaid first member through said aperture on said tub; and said secondmember having an upper trough portion and a depending transverse flange,said second member being mounted at the inner end of said first memberon the inside of said tub with said trough portion in spaced axialalignment with said inlet nozzle and said transverse flange blocking theupper portion of the entrance to said tubular section, whereby waterentering through said nozzle under pressure will flow across the spacebetween said nozzle and upper trough portion, and whereby the transverseflange acts to block the passage of suds through said tubular sectionshould the washer overflow.
 8. The flume assembly as defined in claim 7wherein said means for mounting said first member on said tub includesan outer circumferential flange positioned intermediate the ends of saidfirst member.
 9. The flume assembly as defined in claim 8 wherein saidupper trough portion of said second member comprises a relatively flatsurface and a pair of sidewalls, and said depending flange is positionedat substantially right angles to said surface.
 10. The flume assembly asdeFined in claim 9 wherein said second member further includesattachment means positioned on said sidewalls for permanently securingsaid second member to the body of said washing machine.
 11. The flumeassembly as defined in claim 8 wherein the end of said second memberadjacent said first member includes an annular portion having an outerdiameter substantially corresponding to the inner diameter of said firstmember tubular section and with said annular portion being received insaid tubular section.
 12. The flume assembly as defined in claim 11wherein said first member includes a cutout extending from said outerend toward said inner end along each side thereof, and said secondmember includes a pair of flexible tangs engaging and locked behind saidcutouts to maintain the assembly of the two members.
 13. The flumeassembly as defined in claim 8 wherein an annular flange is positionedabout the aperture on said tub, and said outer circumferential flange isadapted to matingly engage said annular flange.
 14. The flume assemblyas defined in claim 8 wherein said outer circumferential flange is spinwelded about said tub aperture to sealingly close said aperture to thepassage of water.